Death Wish (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #5)(65)

Some might say Kale’s playmate knew what she was risking by coming to a place like this, and they would be right. I didn’t let vampires kill in my club, but it still happened. Yet, I couldn’t even keep my own rules. Pathetic.

For a long time, I sat there, listening to the traffic on the streets beyond the club. The high began to ebb, and reality crept back in. I couldn’t accept that the FPA had Kale. What would they do to him? Kill him? Worse? I had to do something.

A few hours remained before dawn. I needed to get back inside, clean up and slip Shawn a handful of cash to take care of the body. I was supposed to meet Arys back at his place for sunrise. Until then, I had a few things to think about.

The club was almost empty. A few staff members lingered. Most of the rooms in the back hall were occupied. I could feel the mix of human and vampire energy. And Shaz. I could feel his wolf though he was nowhere to be seen. My stomach dropped.

With a few words to Shawn and the instruction to help himself to the cash from the register, I went to the washroom to wash the blood from my hands and face. It wasn’t as bad as I’d expected. Getting better at this whole blood-hungry killer thing wasn’t something I could get excited about.

I stood there staring at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were the deep brown I’d always known them to be. It was more unnerving than if they’d been Arys’s enchanting blue. When I saw him within me like that, it was easier to blame my actions on the undead power rolling around inside me. Brown eyes. It was all me.

I left the ladies’ room and took a left into the back hall rather than a right toward the heart of the club. I shouldn’t do this. I told myself to stop, but one foot in front of the other, I drew closer to the door that beckoned me.

I knew what I’d find, knew I didn’t need that truth branded forever in my mind’s eye, yet I couldn’t turn back. No more hiding behind closed doors and words left unsaid. I reached the door marked with the number six, and my hand trembled on the knob.

Pushing the door open, I took in the scene before me, and everything began to spin. A tangle of naked limbs, the scent of sweat, and a startled shout all hit me at once. I stared in open-mouthed horror at my white wolf and his illicit lover as he scrambled to pull the sheets over them. But, it was too late.

Reality was a cruel mistress. I felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me. This was too much. This was where I surrendered. White flag. I’m done.

Shaz’s jade green eyes were locked on me. He sat there frozen, utter surprise etched on his face. His platinum hair was a mess. Red lipstick smears painted the corner of his mouth in a mocking shade of scarlet. Matching stains adorned his bare chest and neck. I didn’t want to see this, didn’t want to feel this knife twisting in my gut.

Apple cinnamon scented candles lit up the room, but they did nothing to disguise the telltale scent of sex, blood and shame. My stomach turned painfully, and I thought I might be sick.

Like the tragic emotional scene in a movie, everything seemed to slow down. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. There he was, naked in her bed with her atop him, clutching the sheet as if it would hide the truth.

Shaz sat there looking guilty. Bianca watched me expectantly, waiting for my reaction. Maybe she expected me to finish her off this time, like I’d promised. Our eyes met, and I saw the deep-seated satisfaction she couldn’t hide. The tiniest hint of a smile tugged at her lips.

Deeper than my own pain was the sorrow of my wolf. That part of me didn’t understand how he could do this. I backed up until I hit the wall. I tried to form words, needing to say something.

“Alexa, wait! Please, let me explain.” Shaz sprang into action, shoving Bianca aside.

I held up my hands and shook my head. “Stay away from me.”

Unable to contain the tears, I ran. I didn’t stop until I reached the parking lot. I collapsed on the pavement, hysterical sobs building inside me. Blood red tears stained my hands. Knowing Shaz would come after me if I stayed, I got to my feet and continued moving. Maybe Arys was right. Maybe it was time to burn The Wicked Kiss to the ground.

I left my car behind and just walked without a destination. I headed south, away from the downtown core. The agony cut like shards of glass against my insides. I couldn’t do this anymore.

Shaz and I, we were over.

If I’d doubted it before, what I’d seen tonight had only confirmed it. Maybe it had started with Shaz needing a fix, but it had evolved. Now he was lost, consumed by his need to hurt me and to justify it to himself. This wasn’t the Shaz I knew. He had changed, but so had I. And now, here we were. Broken.

I left the busy downtown district behind and with it, the raw, painful truth. I intended just to walk as far as I could possibly get without further thought. That’s all I wanted, to get away, as far away as possible.

The vampires that jumped me had other plans.

Six of them swarmed me, each coming from a different direction. Lost in the gut-wrenching pain of my heartbreak, I hadn’t sensed their approach. Lilah couldn’t have chosen a better time to send her people after me. They were on me so fast that I didn’t stand a chance.

A large fist met my face and stars exploded behind my eyes. I went down immediately, but two of them dragged me to my feet. I struggled against them, but the blows kept coming until I couldn’t tell how many of them were hitting me. If any of them had power, they didn’t use it. This was a good, old-fashioned beating.